Global Gender Health Gap Analysis: Women Experience More Years in Poor Health Than Men

A recent global gender health gap analysis has shed light on the disparities between men and women when it comes to health outcomes. The study, published in the Lancet Public Health journal, revealed that women tend to experience more years in poor health compared to men.

Researchers found that conditions such as musculoskeletal problems, mental health issues, and headache disorders disproportionately affect women, leading to higher levels of illness and disability throughout their lives. While women do live longer than men on average, they also live with higher levels of health issues.

On the other hand, men are more affected by conditions that cause premature death, such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory and liver diseases, Covid, and road injuries. Despite the fact that women live longer, the study found that the health differences between men and women continue to grow with age.

Dr. Luisa Sorio Flor, the senior author of the study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, emphasized the urgent need for greater attention to non-fatal consequences that limit women’s physical and mental function, especially at older ages. The study also highlighted the importance of expanding health data classified by sex and gender to address these disparities.

The findings of the study serve as a call to action for countries to implement sex- and gender-informed ways of preventing and treating major health issues. Conditions such as back pain, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and HIV and Aids were identified as contributing to illness and disability throughout life for women.

Overall, the study underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the health disparities between men and women and the importance of considering sex and gender factors in healthcare interventions.